Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 9 June 2004 at 7.30pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

Present:

Mike Leatham (Vice-Chairman), Stella Burrows, Jean Checksfield, Roger Keen, Stan Parker.

In attendance:

Mr D Venner - Project 2000
Mr A Macdonald - owner, village shop premises
4 members of the public
Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies for absence

   Peter Tucker, David Brown, Myc Riggulsford.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2004

   Page 414 - Item 8 - confirmation of Clerk's Salary. To read (4 hours per week + 16 hours holiday).
   Subject to this amendment the minutes were agreed, accepted and adopted by the Council. The Vice-Chairman signed the minutes.

3. Matters arising from the meeting held on 12 May 2004

   1. Speed device. Stella Burrows reported that there had been no further developments.

   2. Dog bins - these have still to be installed.

   3. Refuse - The recycling hut area is again full with more black bins dumped. The Clerk was asked to contact Torridge District Council again to ask for it to be cleared. A discussion took place on where this rubbish may be coming from. Litter in the village is again a problem both in the centre of the village and the side lanes. It is hoped to arrange a litter pick in the near future.

   4. BT - review of public payphones. The consultation period has been extended to 12 July because BT failed to display the statutory notices in the boxes informing the public of the proposed removal. Mike Leatham will put a notice in Ramblings.

4. Matters raised by the public

   1. The owner of the village post office queried the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting where it stated that the Parish Council would explore all options to regain the services of a retail outlet. The Post Office is considering expanding to allow more lines to be stocked. Mike Leatham welcomed this and said residents were grateful for the service being provided since the closure of the village store. He encouraged everyone to use the facility.

   2. Potholes - reported from Mill Lane to Church Meadows. The Clerk will report the problem to Highways.
      (Cum page 419)

   3. The BT connection box by the back gate to the church is open with wires exposed. The Clerk to report this to BT.

   4. Little Bickington Farm development. A query was raised about the modifications announced in the North Devon Journal. David Venner confirmed this was merely a re-advertisement of the original planning application, there were no modifications.

5. Matters raised by the Chairman

   Mike Leatham circulated information from Poltair, developers of the site off the B3217. It is understood they will continue with the original layout and plans for the site. Poltair are keen to meet representatives from the Parish Council to discuss the development and a meeting will be arranged.
   The Clerk was asked to contact Torridge District Council to ask that the Parish Council be consulted on the traffic calming measures proposed.
   Mike Leatham reported that the Police message box has been stolen and to date it has not been found. Vandalism has been a problem both in the village and in Atherington in recent weeks.

6. Parish Plan - June update

   David Venner presented his report. The Project 2000 AGM wil be held on 28 July when it is intended the Project will formally become the High Bickington Community Property Trust. An exhibition and consultation weekend has been arranged for Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July in the Church Hall and Meeting Point. The advisory groups are up and running.
   Mike Leatham reported on housing group issues, and the work being done to tackle the problems of contacting those people who may qualify for affordable housing but have moved away from the village.

7. Maintenance

   Alan Clements has once again done an excellent job of strimming around the seats in the village. The Clerk was asked to write a formal letter of thanks to Alan.
   Jean Checksfield reminded Councillors to let her know by the next meeting of any jobs they would like the one-man gang mobile lengthsman to carry out when he visits the village in August.
   Stella Burrows reported the need for red posts to be installed in places, particularly at the bottom of Dobbs where deep gullies have formed.
   The Clerk will report potholes to Highways and query the programme for work to be carried out.

8. Finance

   1. The financial statement at 9 June 2004 and payments required were approved and accepted by the Council.
      (Cum page 420)

   2. Concurrent Functions Grants and Matching Grants. The Clerk reported that the level of the Concurrent Function Grant this year will be decided by Torridge District Council in July. The Matching Grants will be discontinued, to take effect from the current year, and Parish Councils will need to reconsider their funding of local organisations.

9. Planning

   1. Planning applications received before the meeting.

      1. Application 1/0984/2004/COU

         Change of use from A1 to A2 - High Bickington General Store
         Mr & Mrs Macdonald, Curzland, Burrington
         Mike Leatham said that this application raised two issues:
         The closure of the village shop which had caused serious concern in the village and this has already been raised with Torridge District Council.
         The change of use from A1 to A2.
         With the application was a letter from the owner's accountant stating that the property was not viable as a retail outlet.
         A discussion followed and the present owner, Mr Macdonald, stated his position.
         Stella Burrows and Jean Checksfield felt that Policy SH4 of the Deposit Draft Policies in the Devon Structure Plan 2001 to 2016 should be drawn to the attention of the Planners in respect of this application.
         Mike Leatham, Stella Burrows and Jean Checksfield reported their feedback from residents on the change of use. During Jean Checksfield's report Mr Macdonald verbally abused her and summarily left the meeting.
         There followed further discussion and by a show of hands it was decided to object to the change of use: For the change of use - 2, against - 3. There were 3 absentees.

      2. Application 1/0919/2004/FUL

         Garage,
         21 Fairway Drive, High Bickington.
         Mr K E Evans
         Decision: NO OBJECTION

   2. Planning Decisions: There were no planning decisions.

10. Correspondence

    1. Torridge District Council - Planning Training Sessions for Parish Council members - 28 June. Stella Burrows, Jean Checksfield and Di Carter will attend.

    2. Torridge District Council - Area Advisory Group Meeting dates - for circulation
       (Cum page 421)

    3. Devon County Council - notice of road closure on 2 July 2004 - road from High Bickington village to junction with deep lane, 800m, for erection of telegraph poles and rectify low aerial cable. Notices will be displayed on the noticeboards.

    4. Devon County Council - Parish paths Summer Workshop dates - for circulation.

    5. North Devon Super Service Awards 2004 - for circulation.

    6. Clerk Training event - 8 July 2004. It was agreed that the Clerk may attend.

11. Outstanding matters
    There were no outstanding matters.

12. Items for information

    1. Stella Burrows reported Neighbourhood Watch notices which are being circulated.

    2. Torridge First publication - questionnaire re priorities within the community for completion.

    3. Roger Keen reported he had trimmed the footpath. He suggested some branches will need cutting back in the Autumn. To be referred to next meeting.

13. Date of next meeting
    Change of date agreed at the meeting held on 11 December 2003 (Minute 6(a)): Wednesday 21 July 2004 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.